Golf bocce game

ABSTRACT

The game is a golf bocce game played by a plurality of players. The golf bocce game includes a plurality of projection balls, where each set of balls is differentiated from one another by, but not limited to, color, logo, pattern, etc, one target ball, a measuring device, a pocket reference guide, and a plurality of ball striking clubs. Each of the players is assigned a particular set of balls. The game is started by dumping the balls out of the storage container onto the open playing area. One player begins play by striking the target ball into the field of play, establishing it as a target. Beginning with an opposing player, alternating attempts are made to strike the projection balls into play in an attempt to place them closest to the target ball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to golf and bocce games and more particularly to a golf putting and/or chipping bocce game that may be used on any interior or exterior surface.

2) Description of Related Art

Golf putting/chipping games and bocce games are both well known in the art. There are many varying types of bocce games with many varying rules. There are also many types of golf putting/chipping games that utilize miniature golf courses for practicing putting. The following documents provide examples of existing golf and bocce games.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,231,278 issued to Bonianger discloses a recreational device. The recreational device is a ball-throwing game whereby a target ball is placed upon a goal and players attempt to throw their respective balls to the goal with the intent of knocking the target ball from the goal and having the thrown ball end up a specified distance from the goal.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,669 issued to Kanda discloses a recreational device. The recreational device is a transportable playing court, a target ball, and a plurality of player balls. The goal of this game is to throw out the target ball onto the playing surface and for each player to attempt to throw their respective ball(s) onto the playing surface, with points scored for the balls thrown closest to the target ball.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,962 issued to Hiserman discloses a recreational device. The recreational device is a court with circles (designating scoring zones) at either end. Within the scoring zones, stakes are posted. Players attempt to throw balls closest to the stake while remaining within the boundaries of the scoring zone. Points are scored based on balls closest to the stake within the scoring zone.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,483 issued to Dineen et al discloses a recreational device. The recreational device is a game based on the principles of golf with the apparent intent of introducing players to the rules of the game. Players toss bags at receptacles indicating golf holes. Game may incorporate obstacles such as shrubs, trees, etc.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,151 issued to Carovillann discloses a recreational device. The recreational device is a bocce-like game which incorporates discs to be thrown at a target. The game incorporates the rules of bocce, but is based on discs, not balls.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,146 issued to Pirre discloses a recreational device. The recreational device is a putt-training game whereby a player putts a plurality of balls and sensor detectors are used to determine if the putts are off-centered, partially centered, or centered. Points are assigned based on the accuracy of the putts.

As part of the research for this patent application, all golf or bocce games identified were mutually exclusive. That is to say that no game comprising both the elements of golf and bocce was identified. Therefore what is needed is a game that comprises elements of both golf and bocce. Further, all games identified require either a transportable playing surface or an existing playing surface that is clearly marked with scoring zones, goals, etc. What is further needed is a game that does not require a portable playing surface but instead can be played on any surface and with no surface preparation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The golf bocce game according to the present invention comprises a plurality of projection balls, a plurality of ball striking clubs, one target ball, a measuring device, and a pocket reference guide. The golf bocce game further comprises an open playing area that can be, but is not limited to golf greens, grass fields, yards, and carpeted areas.

The plurality of ball striking clubs are in the form of golf putting clubs or golf pitching wedges.

The ball strikers are used to apply a force to the target ball. After the target ball is struck into play, the plurality of players attempt to strike their projection balls closest to the target ball. “Closest” may be determined by consensus agreement among the players or through the use of the measuring device included. The projection balls comprise two sets of balls where each set is assigned to an individual player or team of players. Each individual set of projections balls may be differentiated from one another by, but not limited to, color, logo, pattern, etc.

A container is provided for storing the plurality of projection balls, the target ball, the measuring device, and the pocket reference guide.

To begin play of the golf bocce game each player or team is assigned a set of projection balls. One of the players then dumps the projection balls out of the storage container onto the open playing area at the feet of the players. A randomly selected player from one team strikes the target ball out into the field of play. This becomes the target for both teams. A player from the opposing team begins play by striking one of the projection balls with the intent of placing it closest to the target ball. Players then alternate attempts to place their projection balls closer to the target ball than their opponent. Players may also attempt to displace their opponent's projection ball and so improve the position of their projection ball in relation to target ball. The game is continued until both teams successfully place their entire set of projection balls out into the open playing area.

Once all projection balls have been placed into the open playing area, the team with balls closest to the target scores points. For example, if Team A has 2 balls closer to the target ball than Team B, Team A receives 2 points. Game is repeated until one team surrenders or reaches the predetermined amount of points required to win the game.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide a game that combines the skills and features of golf and bocce.

It is another object of the invention to provide a portable golf bocce game that may be easily assembled, disassembled and stored.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a portable golf bocce game that may be used on an interior or exterior surface without any specialized surface preparation.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side view of two individuals playing the golf bocce game.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the projection balls in play showing the measurement process in order to determine points scored.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a golf bocce game that incorporates the skills and features of golf and bocce. FIG. 1 is a side view of two individuals playing the golf bocce game. The golf bocce game comprises a plurality of ball striking clubs 10, one target ball 20, a plurality of projection balls 30, one measuring device 40, one pocket reference guide 50, and one storage container 60. After the target ball 20 and projection balls 30 for each player/team have been placed into the open play area through force applied by the ball striking clubs 10, this figure is illustrative of how the open playing area might appear.

FIG. 2 depicts a simulated perspective of the target ball 20 and projection balls 30 in an open playing area. The figure further depicts the measuring device 40 being used to determine the distance between the target ball 20 and the projection balls 30 in order to determine scoring.

The present invention encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A golf bocce game, comprising: a plurality of projection balls, said plurality of projection balls comprising at least two sets of balls where each set of balls are differentiated from one another by, but not limited to, color, logo, pattern, etc; a plurality of ball strikers, said ball strikers having the form of golf putting clubs or golf pitching wedges; one target ball; a measuring device; and a pocket reference guide. Whereby said ball strikers are used to apply a force to said target ball and subsequently to projection balls in an attempt to project said projection balls closest to the target ball.
 2. The golf bocce game according to claim 1, further comprising a container for storing the plurality of projection balls, the target ball, the measuring device, and the pocket reference guide.
 3. The golf bocce game according to claim 1, wherein said game may be played on any interior or exterior surface.
 4. A method for playing a golf bocce game played by a plurality of players, including a plurality of projection balls, one target ball, a plurality of ball striking clubs, a measuring device, a pocket reference guide, said plurality of projection balls further comprising at least two sets of balls where each set of balls are differentiated from one another by, but not limited to, color, logo, pattern, etc, said method comprising the steps of: assigning each of said players a particular set of balls; starting the golf bocce game by one player dumping the plurality of projection balls out of the storage container into an open playing area at the feet of the players; one player applying a force to the target ball with the ball striking club to establish it as a target; alternating attempts, beginning with a player from the opposing team, to strike projection balls into play with the ball striking club with the intent of placing it closest to the target ball; players may also attempt to displace their opponent's projection ball and so improve the position of their projection ball in relation to target ball.
 5. The method for playing the golf bocce game played by a plurality of players according to claim 4, further comprising the step of repeating the steps of applying a force and forcing the projection balls into play until all projection balls have been placed into the open playing area.
 6. The method for playing the golf bocce game played by a plurality of players according to claim 5, whereby the scoring of the game is based on the player/team with balls closest to the target ball scoring points. For example, if Team A has 2 balls closer to the target ball than Team B, Team A receives 2 points.
 7. The method for playing the golf bocce game played by a plurality of players according to claim 5, whereby the playing of the game is continued until one player/team surrenders or reaches the predetermined amount of points required to win the game. 